-- Log 15b --

Chiselled out of the rock is a gallery-like passage (called the path to hell) and at the end of that are steps through a chiselled out ridge of rock called the path to heaven, this in turns leads up steeply to the roof of the church.



Coming out of the path to hell


Into the path to Heaven

Legend has it that King Lalibela grew up in Roha, where his brother was king. It is aid that bees prophesied his future greatness, and Ethiopian folklore still has it that bees in a dream foretell greatness, social advance and coming riches. The king, made jealous by these prophecies about his brother, tried to poison him, but the poison merely cast Lalibela into a death-like sleep for three days. During these three days an angel carried his soul to heaven to show him the churches which he was to build. Returning once more to earth he withdrew into the wilderness, then took a wife upon God’s command with the name of Maskal Kebra (Exalted Cross) and flew with an angel to Jerusalem. Christ himself ordered the king to abdicate in favour of Lalibela. Anointed king under the throne name of Gabre-Maskal (Servant of the Cross) Lalibela, living himself an even more severe monastic life than before, carried out the construction of the churches. Angels worked side by side with the stonemasons and within twenty-four years the entire work was completed